Off Day Fun: Favorite Bad Cubs
by gary varsho on Jun 9, 2008 7:52 AM CDT
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PrintCub fans, for better or worse, seem to have an odd affinity for bad ballplayers. There are likely several reasons for this, none of which are important enough to note here, nor valid enough to be argued for in the comments. The bottom line is that we've all, as Cub fans, been the fan of a pretty bad ballplayer at some point. One need look no further than my chosen moniker: Gary Varsho:
via bp3.blogger.com
That's right, the guy who posted a .244/.294/.355, OPS+ of 78
That's some bad baseball right there, and I loved every minute of it. For this foolishness, I offer no excuse. So, today let's confess to our basbeall vices. Why? Because somewhere out there, there's a Felix Heredia fan.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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Augie Ojeda
I know he is playing well now, but as a Cub he was never all that impressive, but I always enjoyed watching that little guy play for some reason.
His best year as a Cub? 2000 with a line of .221/.307/.364, OPS+71
"Very adroit in the outfield." - Lou, on Dome
my all time favorite bad cub
is none other than…............Turk Wendall
Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!
Turk = Bullpen guard
That’s all he was good for. Guarding the Bullpen while the real relevers warmed up. Even then, an errant ball or 3 would sneak through.
Cubs Win!! Cubs Win!
by Ihatethecards on Jun 9, 2008 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL
Turk took a lot of heat from us didn’t he?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Turk...
.... actually had a decent year in 1996, having a 2.84 ERA and leading the team with 18 saves.
Apart from that, yes, he was pretty mediocre.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
but his antics
amused me kinda. the dumb hop over the foul line,brushing his teeth in the dugout etc.
Dear SBnation, We need our own server here at BCB seeing how its became very slow due to enormous amounts of traffic. P.S. Impeach Bud Selig!!!
I think he also had injuries hurt him if I remember correctly.
I once spent a very memorable 2 hours at the convention 1-3 am on saturday tlaking to him and a few other fans.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Bill Faul
A really unusual guy. Wore #13-known for practicing self hypnosis-ate a live frog in the club house and a few other things—lifetime era of 4.73 with a record of 12-16.
I'm a good speller, but my typing creates a SERIOUS vacuum. (especially while I'm at work sticking it to the man)
Superstitions being what they are...
... no one wore #13 for the Cubs after Faul left (in 1966) until… Turk Wendell in 1993.
Thanks to BCB reader kaseyi’s All-Time Cubs Uniform Number Page, here is the complete list of the eight Cubs who have worn #13:
Claude Passeau(1939-47), Hal Manders (1946), Bill Faul(1965-66), Turk Wendell(1993-97), Jeff Fassero (2001-02), Will Ohman (2003,2006-07), Rey Ordonez(2004), Neifi Perez(2004-06)
Passeau, at least, was a key member of a pennant winner. The rest of them are, well, mostly forgettable.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Jeff Fassero.
I had abolished that name from my memory. Thanks so much for bringing those memories back.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Isn't that the point of this post?
:D
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
LOL!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
fassero comments
Jeff Fassero logic (not as bad as last year when he gave up a game winning grand slam to Ryan Klesko and said that he got beat using his fourth best pitch)
1. “I wasn’t going to get beat by him pulling the ball for a home run. Neither one of them. I did what I had to.” Piazza, who had struck out in all three at-bats against Wood, ripped a 3-1 slider to the back of the bleachers in right.
Faul was just ahead of his time.
Now, he’d be the star of a reality show and would be infamous.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 9, 2008 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions
how can you say that?
will anyone REALLY forget Neifi????
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 9, 2008 10:28 AM CDT up reply actions
Jose Nieves
For the simple reason that Nieves in Spanish is Ice Cream.
Jose Ice Cream….and who doesnt like Ice Cream?
Felix Pie must play everyday!
Actually
Nieves (or to be exact Nieve) means snow in Spanish.
Ice cream is Helado.
You need a new reason to like the man now
...
you've never heard Nieves as Ice Cream?
....perhaps it is regional slang. (Central Mexico)
You are correct that the exact translation is Snow…
Felix Pie must play everyday!
Nieves might very well be Ice Cream
In Central Mexican slang…..
It also means cocaine in rural dominican slang
...
Imagine if Pie and Nieves could have played on the same team.
The “a la mode” jokes would have been endless.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
I'm still lamenting the trade of Rocky Cherry for that reason.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I always thought Varsho might have been...
... a decent 4th or 5th OF if they had actually given him the chance to do that for several seasons. I still think he’ll be a good manager some day if someone gives him the chance.
My choice for this is Mike Vail, who I always thought would turn into a great power hitting right fielder. He hit OK in platoon play in 1980, for a really bad Cub team - hitting .298 in 312 AB, but with only 6 HR - and then was traded to the Reds for Heity Cruz.
Oh, the shame of it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Wasn’t he on the B list for the Cubs job after 06?
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 Jun 9, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions
Mike Vail
Mom always liked him best…
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jun 9, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions
John Boccabella!
terrible catcher, great name.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 9, 2008 8:38 AM CDT reply actions
Speaking of Catchers...
My second fav was Hector Villanueva. Girthy! 
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
he was Awesome Bad!
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Hector was a horrible person
Saw him here in Indy when he played for Iowa. A teenage girl asked him for his autograph right in front of me and he told her he would only sign for her if she pleased him. A horrible thing to say or even think. He was not a good person
2008 has to be the year, doesnt it?
Gotta give props to Hector
although I liked Doug Dascenzo an awful lot too.
This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again.
by HectorVillanueva on Jun 9, 2008 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Another of his ilk
..George Mitterwald.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 9, 2008 8:39 AM CDT reply actions
Ah, but Mitterwald...
... had one of the greatest days ever by a Cub, hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs against the Pirates on April 17, 1974.
There’s a story behind that, perhaps true, perhaps not: supposedly Mitterwald had been told he wasn’t going to play that day, so he went out the night before and… well, partied a lot. Supposedly, he had that big day with an enormous hangover.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
And look more closely at that box score.
Burt Hooton threw a complete game—and gave up 16 hits and nine runs. Imagine a manager leaving a starter in to do that in such a game today.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Didn't Larussa do that Marquis a couple years ago?
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Yabbut...
... the difference is, the Cardinals were getting blown out and that was a “take one for the team” kind of game.
On 4/17/74, the Cubs were leading 17-4 after six. What starting pitcher would still have come out for the 7th in a 2008 game like that?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
No, no he wouldn't.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Tim Blackwell
Of course lousy Cubs catchers could rate their own category but Blackwell has always stood out for me. The fact that he was our starting catcher in the late 70’s/early 80’s is a great indicator of the overall quality of those teams.
Still, there was something about him I always liked-maybe because the bar was set so low that anything remotely good he did defensively, etc. always stood out.
Oh yes those great catchers of the post Hundley pre Davis era. Him and Barry Foote.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Barry Foote
1) Pity he never had the chance to catch Bill Hands
2) Somewhere, he’s still running out a slow-rolling grounder he hit in 1979
Blackwell had one of the greatest all-time mustaches, though.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
NICE!
Perhaps I should add him to my Mustache Hall of Fame. Or maybe I should start a Cubs Mustache Hall of Fame ;)
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow.
That is a full-on Flanders.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I almost forgot about Paul Popovich
light hitting utility infielder extraordinaire of the lat 60’s/early 70’s.
Classic story about him-no idea if it was really true or not-but apparently he grabbed a bat to pinch hit one day which caused Leo Durocher to look over and loudly exclaim, “sit down Paul. We ain’t givin’ up yet”.
Growing up, loved me some Rey Sanchez.
Not exactly a bad ballplayer, but he really couldn’t handle the bat.
My girlfriend loved Michael Tucker. She always called him “The Guy Who Looks Sad”.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
You actually LIKED those guys?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Sentimental reasons mostly
As a very young fan in the late 60’s, he was one of the first Cubs I knew by name .
As for Cox, he once sent me a personalized 8 by 10-when you’re an 12 year old kid, those kind of gestures tend to stay with you.
Paul Bako or Ramon Maritnez
I used to have a lot of fun making fun of them.
"You know they're not going to lose 162 games." Harry Caray
Doug Dascenzo
In High School DD was my favorite player. Short, Scrappy, Hustle player… not high on talent, but high on effort. I had a ton of his baseball cards (some signed… oh yea).
I remember his errorless appearances streak (and the day it ended) and that a few times he would be brought in to games to pitch if it was a blow out.
Doug Dascenzo… I salute you!.
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
He now is managing. He managed a game against Ryno’s Chiefs in one of Kerry’s rehab outings last year.
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 Jun 9, 2008 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I saw Chico Walker hit an inside the park grand slam
San Francisco, Kevin Mitchell playing LF and doing a Shamu beaching himself dive in LF on a sinking liner down the line. I think the CF got the ball before Mitchell did.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN199108280.shtml
As I recall, Walker slid across the plate and just laid there for a moment catching his breath.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this -Oysterband
Great call...
...on Doug Dascenzo. He even pitched….
But there is only one choice for this: Hector Villenueva. Harry Caray honestly compared him to Babe Ruth—just phenomenally funny and ridiculous in every way.
I’m also going to show some love for Brant Brown…everyone remembers the ball he dropped against Milwaukee, but no one remembers the extra inning game against Atlanta he won with a walk-off (or was it that he tied it in the bottom of the 9th and the Cubs came back and won? Al, anyone – a little help here?)
Dascenzo, as a pitcher:
5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0.00 ERA. 1.00 WHIP
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I think that game was vs. the White Sox.
Here’s the game you’re probably thinking of.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
My fav Brant Brown story...
I was at Yak-Zies across from Wrigley Field after a game one day when I walked in on Brown throwing up in the bathroom trough-I said, “How are you doing Brant?” “Not too good” he answered as he stumbled out the door.
I think that was the point when ballplayers were forever de-mystified for me.
Did he drink too much?
Or was puking, cause he just dropped the 3rd out?
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
One of my Dascenzo baseball cards...
actually has him on the mount pitching. No idea why they did that, but I loved it.
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Hey, but Dusty couldn't wait to get Fast Freddie back!
I’m pretty sure, according to Dusty, we were losing because Freddie was on the DL.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Mitch Webster was a favorite bum of mine as a youngster...
More recently, I remember asking myself, “why is Freddie Bynum on a major league roster?”
How about 90% of the
third basemen between Santo and Aram?
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
Wasn't there a song about that,
sung to the tune of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”?
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Oscar Zamora
“When the ball hits the bat
When the pitch is so fat….
That’s Zamora
"Don't worry, Joey. We'll go next year. They're in the World Series all the time" ---My grandfather to my sick father, October 10, 1945
Oh, man, you just brought back memories.
Thank you! I’m literally sitting here laughing my head off.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
That reminds me of another bad Cub I liked
Amaury Telemaco!
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I loved when Harry would bust out with his ...
Telemaco spelled backwards is Ocamelet. Almost sounded like O Camelot :)
"My body is a temple.... a temple of doom." -source unknown
A group I belonged to back during Amaury’s Cubs days adapted the Zamora song for him.
Just changed Zamora to Amaury.
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 Jun 9, 2008 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll see your Amaury Telamaco...
...and raise you a Julio Zuleta.
Zuleta—arguably the closest major-league equivalent to “Major League”’s Pedro Zamora….right down to the inability to hit the breaking ball.
Felix Heredia
I didn’t like him as a Cub, but I will always remember him because of a song my friend made up about him. He had Heredia in his Diamond-Mind baseball league team and the virtual Heredia sucked more than the real one. So, he wrote this song…
(to the tune of Felix the cat).
Felix the crap,
The terrible, terrible crap
Whenever he gets in a fix
He gives up a bomb so his team is down six.
Felix the crap,
the terrible, terrible crap,
you’ll cry so hard
and your team will lose
as the balls fly to the gap
Thanks to Felix! the terrible crap.
(credit to Scott McP)
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this -Oysterband
The living embodiment
of the adage that it doesn’t matter how hard you throw if it doesn’t move. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a straighter ball pitched.
I'm tempted to add Larry Biittner
but I actually think he’s too good to fit the category. He’s always been one of my all-time favorites-the kind of guy who got more than the maximum out of the mediocre talent he was born with.
I remember him also pitching an inning in ‘77 when the Cubs were getting blown out by Montreal in a doubleheader.
Plus, didn’t her once lose a ball in left because his hat fell on top of it? How can you NOT love a guy like that?!
Larry Biitner
Because I like Mick Kelleher too much to use him here. And Biittner pitched, too, during the storied 1977 season - one game in a blowout. He was even fined for throwing at a batter, and we took up a collection in the bleachers to pay the fine. His line: 5 hits and 6 runs in 1 1/3 innings - and he struck out the side.
Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?
Scrappy only goes so far when you have a career OBP of .266
So, as much as it pains me, my vote goes to Mighty Mick Kelleher….I gave considertion to adding the Mickster’s 1976 fellow SS Dave Rosello (who the Cubs thought at the time would be a worthy successor to Don Kessinger) to my ballot. But a quick check of the career stats (0 career HR’s in 1081 AB’s) led me to lean to Mick.
The 1976 Cubs had other candidates….don’t forget Pierre LaCock, hitting a robust .221 at first base…..
Wonderfully bad players on wonderfully bad teams
Those fellows are what it means to be a Cubs fan. The young people have no idea how much we suffered with Mick and Rosello and LaCock and Joe Wallis and Mike Adams and so many others. I may have to stop for a moment of reflection now.
Where is Mick Kelleher when we need him?
by 3744nsheffield on Jun 9, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
That's true, and...
... that’s why it will be so much sweeter WHEN we win.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
So many memories
Those mid-seventies Cubs teams were, unfortunately, the first ones that I really followed rabidly as a kid.
I’m suddenly remembering when the Cubs acquired Vic Harris as part of the Jenkins-Madlock deal, He was supposed to make us forget all about Glenn Beckert at second. as it turned out, he didn’t even make us forget about Paul Popovich.
Sigh.
So true. And the only one of the players they acquired when they “backed up the truck” at the end of ‘73 who would really have been a good longtime Cub - Bill Madlock - they traded away after three years.
What awful management that was.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
FWIW I worked at a company where his nephew was my boss. Nice guy named after him.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions
How about the great
Bill Bonham or Ray Burris. They were both pretty bad!
I loved..
H-Rod…. Henry Rodriguez who wasnt great or terrible…. I used to hit bombs with him in all my old mlb video games
Oh! Henry!
The king of the meaningless homerun.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
So funny... cause it's soooo true.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Yes!
Hell, my signature line is a reference to Julio. I will maintain to my dying day that the reason we did not make the playoffs in 2001 was because we sent Julio Zuleta to the minors, leaving nobody with the big club who fed the bats.
My favorite Julio story: before a game, he was wearing a stethoscope, with the one end pressed against a bat. He was listening to it, basically. When he was done, he handed the bat to Matt Stairs and said, “There is one hit in this bat.”
Matt Stairs went 1-for-4 that day…but that one hit drove in the game-winning run.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
That is my new favorite baseball story.
Well done, sir.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Willie Wilson
A great player in the day but, the time he got to the Cubs, so old and creaky we used to call him “grandpa”
I remember seeing Willie Wilson hit and inside the park homerun
in Kauffmann stadium. I had never seen someone move so fast.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Yes!
I mentioned him below, having missed this comment. But yes…Paul Noce.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 3:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Was just going to name him
Moderately capable pitcher who never seemed to complain about simply being a swing guy in and out of the rotation. Did his major league career end after 1990 simply due to his bad WHIP that year (1.71!) or did he pick up a major injury?
Wasn/’t he married to Mark Grace’s sister or they were married to sisters 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 Jun 9, 2008 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions
of course I like Pico too :)
I will always remember watching Pico’s shutout in his debut vs the Reds that was a pretty special game at the time. He also did a great job for the 89 division champs. I always wondered why he never got back to the majors, I know he pitched in the Giants system for a little while after 91, he’s been a pitching coach but I’m not sure where he is at this year.
Chico Walker
Basically because I can still remember my Grandfather shout his name at the TV, every time he came to bat. “Chicoooo”
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Rick Wrona and Carmen Fanzone
Wrona established himself as a favorite of mine during the 1989 season when a Cubs batter hit a foul ball by the Cubs bullpen. He was either warming up a pitcher or guarding the bullpen catcher’s back. One of the opposing fielders ran over to try to catch the ball and Wrona was right in his path. Instead of moving aside, he stood his ground, glaring at the fielder, who had to run around him. I can’t remember if the ball was caught, but Wrona’s defiant refusal to move aside impressed the hell out of me as an example of heads up, hard nosed play even though he wasn’t even in the game.
And who couldn’t like Carmen Fanzone? He hit a couple of big home runs for terrible teams and was mediocre at several positions. As a ballplayer he was a great trumpet player.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jun 9, 2008 10:22 AM CDT reply actions
Fanzone
may have been mediocre at several positions, but he did catch the last out in Milt Pappas’ no hitter.
Kasey
See the Cubs 2008 schedule (with TV schedule & game-by-game results) at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html
He did indeed
And other than the time he played the national anthem on his trumpet, it was his greatest moment as a Cub.
by Mike Vails Evil Twin on Jun 9, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Does Ivan DeJesus qualify as "bad"?
As a fairly baseball-obsessed kid in the late 70s, my favorite player was Bill Madlock. (I got his autograph once, too.) But, of course, a guy with a career line of .305/.365/.442 (.807 OPS, 123 OPS+) can’t be considered anything other than great.
I also loved DeJesus, though. I’d always imitate him making those running backhanded-stop spinning throws from the hole at short. FWIW, his career line is .254/.323/.326 (.649 OPS, 77 OPS+).
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
DeJesus was my favorite player for some odd reason and I still have my diary page from January 27, 1982 with a diatribe about them trading my favorite for some Sandwich guy.
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 Jun 9, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Careful
Ivan DeJesus is on Al’s Top 100 Cubs of all time list in the left hand bar off the home page… granted, he’s 100, but ya know… :)
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
D'oh! I probably should have reviewed the list...
...before I posted that. Well, I did pose the idea as a question. And he wasn’t much of a hitter. And I did indirectly praise his defense. OK, OK! I’ll print a full retraction and unconditional apology in tomorrow’s edition.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Don't worry...
Ryan Theriot will soon be added… which will bump Ivan to 101 and hence off the list.
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Ced Landrum
The guy could absolutely fly. He had absolutely no power. He didn’t hit for too much of an average either. He was great to watch in CF.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Landrum should've been...
...listed on the roster as a “PR”, a pinch-runner, rather than an outfielder. He had more stolen bases than hits.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 2:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Michael Barrett
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned him. I used to be a fool for his 20+ HRs per season and the South Side Punch-out performance.
You must've been really fooled,
because Barrett’s never hit more than 16 HR in a single season.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Barrett, first three seasons as a Cub:
.287/.337/.489
.276/.345/.479
.307/.368/.517
Nobody’s ever going to confuse him with a Hall of Famer, and he’s a catcher on the wrong side of 30 right now, but he was hardly BAD as a Cub. Seriously.
At least while he was hitting,
he wasn’t bad. No one’s ever going to confuse Barrett with Bob Boone behind the plate.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Joe Pepitone
First baseman for the Yankees in the 60’s—worn out and came to the Cubs in the early 70’s. He must have been in the hair salon or beauty shop business on the side, because I can remember going to a game as a kid and group of women near me yelling “Hey Joe, if you get a hit I’ll buy a wig at your boutique!”
Ya gotta love a team with a shortstop named TheRiot ...
Chico Walker
In 1991, my parents and I went to Montreal to see the Cubs play. One day before a night game, we saw Luis Salazar and Ivan Calderone walking down the street and followed them to what ended up being the Cubs’ hotel. Santo was eating lunch in the lobby—we waited until he was done eating, and asked him for a picture. He was very friendly and accomodating.
We stuck around for a while and several players came through—they all stopped for a picture, although Paul Assenmacher wasn’t real happy about it. Chuck McElroy was pretty gracious. The best, though, was Walker.
When Walker came into the lobby and I said, “Hey, Chico!”, he looked so surprised that someone recognized him that he almost fell over. After the picture, he thanked me. I’d already liked him, but how could I not after that?
Also making the list, Doug Dascenzo and the pitcher Ed Lynch…not his future self, the GM Ed Lynch.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 9, 2008 10:46 AM CDT reply actions
Oh those early 90s relief pitchers we had.
I remember Chuck McElroy mainly because one time they went to a commercial break during a pitching change and a commercial for the movie “Child’s Play: came on with the headline “Chuckys Back!”
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 Jun 9, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
How about Lyn McGlothen and the time....
...that a line drive hit him in the head and was caught on the fly by Ted Sizemore? There’s a couple guys who pretty much stunk for us.
My nominees for a great old Cub name and a bad player: Cuno Barragan
I'm a good speller, but my typing creates a SERIOUS vacuum. (especially while I'm at work sticking it to the man)
Chico also put down the best bunt I ever saw...
Of all the things to remember. But I was in the upper deck on the first base side behind the plate. He bunted on the third base line and it was so perfect, he couldn’t have walked over and placed the ball in a better spot. The crowd actually “ooohed” about it.
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 9, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Man, thanks for sharing that story!
As I mentioned in this thread earlier, Chico Walker always reminds me of my Grandfather. Good memories.
On a side note, when I was about 12 or 13 or so, my Uncle took me to a game in one of the luxury boxes… his company’s suite. The whole family was there: Uncle, Aunt, cousins, and me. I am famously remembered for yelling out “You’re a BUM Assenmacher! You’re a BUM.” After he took the mound and butchered an inning for us.
Yes… I was like 12 years old… must’ve been completely embarrassing for my Aunt and Uncle.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Assenmacher WAS a bum.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I couldn't stand that man...
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Agreed.
Just the site of him trotting to the mound was enough to get me angry.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
sure came off as a jerk when I met him
but anyone can have a bad day
by Shanghai Badger on Jun 9, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Luis Salazar
Yes… we used to call him Luis Saladbar…. love it.
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah...but..
I believe he is still (along with his brother Rick) the only Brother pair to combine to throw a shutout.
Kasey
(who will admit to owning a game worn Paul Reuschel Cleveland Indians jersey)
See the Cubs 2008 schedule (with TV schedule & game-by-game results) at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html
Wow...
...you own a PAUL Reuschel jersey. I’ll admit to being very jealous, doubly so because it’s probably a hideously ugly polyester pullover. I’m sad that I don’t own a piece of Paul Reuschel paraphenalia, not even the “Big League Brothers” card where they mismatched the names.
Whenever I think of Paul Reuschel, I’m reminded of anecdote told by a friend of playing church league softball against Paul only a year or so after Paul had washed out of the majors.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 2:31 AM CDT up reply actions
But was Greenberg bad?
For obvious reasons, he never got a chance to prove himself bad or good. (I know, I know…there wasn’t much chance he would have been good, but ya never know.)
Incidentally, if you want to see something grimly humorous, check out Adam’s baseball reference page.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
but look at that sparkling OBP!
(also, check out the projected HBP for the season… pretty funny)
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
My wife had great affection for...
Mark Bellhorn. So-so second base, awful at 3rd. Nice pop in his bat but so many strike outs. The way she reacted, I thought someone had died when he was sent on his way. She feels the same way about The Riot now. Every time he makes an error or strikes out, she asks me if he is going to get traded.
Way back... outta here!!!
Loved Mark Bellhorn.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
Jacques "@#&&&%@&@&^#&%@#@#%!*&$%^^" Jones
I agree with those who said Jeff Fassero, too. But, no player in recent memory got my blood boiling like Monsieur Jones. One wasted at bat after another, one stranded run after another, it was almost uncanny that so much suck could be concentrated in one player.
I've told you a million times never to exaggerate!!
And you didn;t even mention
all of the throws from the outfield that bounced before they got to the infield
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
Well, it's debatable whether Jacque was truly "bad"...
...but, that aside, I believe the idea behind this fanpost was to discuss players you really liked but who could be defined as “bad.”
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Quite possibly the worst Cub of All-Time
Based on the fact that HE NEVER EVEN FRIGGIN MADE IT TO CHICAGO
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Ty Griffin
I believe he was a second baseman that the Cubs drafted in Ryno’s heyday. The Cubs tried him at 3B in the minors. I remember him playing for Charlotte against the Memphis Chicks at Tim McCarver Stadium. I could tell at AA that he was not going to make it to the majors. He was terrible defensively at 3B and wasn’t a wonderful hitter.
"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray
Although... this guy takes a close 2nd place
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
Cunningham....
My mom worked with a nurse who dated him for a long time. Not only was he a bad baseball player, he was a jerk too. He is one who probably could have made it, if he would have worked hard.
Way back... outta here!!!
wow
you beat me to the punch. i have this card at home… I was so hopeful.
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions
Earl Cunningham was so big...
...he’d probably take 2nd AND 3rd place…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Mine....Luis Salazar AKA Taco Bell
"He's been known to cure narcolepsy just by walking into a room. His organ donation card also lists his beard. He's a lover, not a fighter. But he's also a fighter so don't get any ideas. He is....The Most Interesting Man in the World."
Probably the best trade Jim Frey made
Salazar came up with some huge hits late in the 1989 season.
"My bed is pulling me, gravity, daysleeper. Daaaysleeper."
by markleonette on Jun 9, 2008 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Remember when this guy was supposed to be the savior?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/aguilri01.shtml
Wait a minute... who am I here?
Yeah...lol
and this guy was going to be the next Santo?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Yep
He had one amazing moment in his career… who remembers it?
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
Botching an easy grounder during Kerry's 20 K game?
A play that led to the lone hit Kerry surrendered that day.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
That's the one I was thinking of...
Didn’t he foul off like 10 pitches or something, and then he hit the Granny?
But the botched grounder (which should have been an error) is good too. If they had been ruled an error, that game would have gone down as one of the most dominant ever
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions
It already is
considered one of the most dominant. I don’t think there’s any question, that if it’s ruled an error, it’s the single greatest pitching performance in history. Not just dominant. A 20 strikeout, no-hitter? That’s absurd.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
Awesome one
I still don’t get Orie or ‘what happened’ after his first (good) year in 1994. .275 – 100 Hits? Then zip-o. Crazy.
Wait a minute... who am I here?
Aguilera...
...gave up a game-winning three-run inside-the-park homer in his Cubs debut. That sequence was a very bad omen for that ‘99 team, which was still a few games over .500 when that happened. It was a very strange play and I could type a thousand words about it…but I’ll just say that it was the single worst conclusion to a game that I’ve attended.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 2:25 AM CDT up reply actions
No one's gunna give
Vance Law any love?
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 11:36 AM CDT reply actions
I don't swing that way...
but help yourself.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
LOL!
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I did always swoon at the sight of his RecSpecs....
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
is he a third baseman… or an office manager?
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha!
Not many office managers can pull this off:
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I wish
MLB would enforce that uniform.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 9, 2008 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I wonder if he’s still coaching at BYU
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions
As far as i know, yes, he is.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
dusty's three amigos
cory patterson,hairston jr. and neify perez. Ugh.
The Dusty-Hydra of outs in Cubs mythology.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Another good one
in the long line of 3B failures:
Gary Scott.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
Here was a great move in 1993, eh?
http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/maldoca01.shtml
Wait a minute... who am I here?
The Candy Man
In fact, could not.
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
Kevin Foster and Mike Harkey
Kevin Foster, one of the best arms the first time through a lineup. His stuff was electric. Then it would be the fourth inning and he would just blow up. I always wondered why they didn’t try to make him a closer. He had the arm to do it.
And then there is Mike Harkey, who was Prior prior to Prior.
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this -Oysterband
Mike Harkey...
I remember being at his 1st game , Sept 5, 1988. he hit the 1st batter he faced in the majors (Phil Bradley) in the head.
Kasey
See the Cubs 2008 schedule (with TV schedule & game-by-game results) at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html
Good one.
I had forgotten about these two.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I worked with Kevin Foster’s brother. He told me that Andy MacPhail heard their dad was dying right before the home opener in 1995 so Riggleman made Kevin the home opener starter. They paid for a nurse and doctor to be with him so he could see his son make the opening day start for the Cubs (he grew up in Evanston) and he passed away less than a month later.
Mike Harkey isn’t he the AAA pitching coach? My heart does cartwheels everytime I hear his name.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Great story about Foster...
...I’d never heard that one. And a good description of Harkey, “prior to Prior”. Having been young and impressionable in 1988, Mike Harkey served as a brutal introduction to unrealized expectation.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 2:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I believe Harkey...
Is now with the Yankees. He was one of Girardi’s coaches in Florida and now is the bullpen coach in New York.
Kasey
See the Cubs 2008 schedule (with TV schedule & game-by-game results) at http://ignarski.tripod.com/sched2008.html
Foster
You beat me to it. The Evantson product was a fan favorite until we all realized he wasn’t what he was cracked up to be.
3B Steve Bushele
Not much with the bat, but still had a great glove.
With Dunston, Sandberg, and Grace it made for a good defensive infield!
One of those classic “get a veteran after their prime” moves by the Cubs.
Steve Wilson
Don’t ask me why. He must have had some good pitching moment in 1989 on the way to the postseason that endeared him to me.
Glad to not see Todd Hundley on here.
Did anyone actually like that guy?
"This is the kind of thing … that makes you want to see the Chicago Cubs team lose." Marty Brennaman
Todd Hundley had a deep and abiding passion
for Todd Hundley
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Kyle Farnsworth
Only Jacques Jones could make me madder…
But who did you LIKE that was bad.....?
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I'll probably get flamed for this
but when we got Latroy Hawkins, I was really excited. I liked him when he pitched for the Twins and liked him when he pitched with the Cubs. That is, until that series against the Mets in ‘04.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
I was excited too.
But that was on the assumption that he was going to be a set-up guy. He was always brutal as a closer but the Cubs apparently seemed to miss that.
Did you have to bring up the Mets series???
Ugg… horrible memories
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry dude!
It pained me to write it. I threw up 11 times before I posted it.
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
Hope you rehydrated.
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
Ok then how bout Cliff Johnson
His time was brief with the Cubs but he was pretty funny
Kevin Roberson was quite a power hitter.
Did you ever feel more confident then when Andrew Lorraine was on the hill?
only when Blaise Illsley was pitching
In the middle of a good time, Truth gave me her icy kiss. Look around, you must be joking. All that way, all that way for this -Oysterband
Les Lancaster...
Rick Wilkins
Mike Brumley
Curtis Wilkerson
I can’t believe that I forgot about some of these guys…
n/m I CAN believe that I forgot about them
Les Lancaster
Didn’t have a good career with the Cubs overall… but he was amazing in ‘89. Check out the stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lancale01.shtml
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by digitalbenjamin on Jun 9, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
I remember that year
And hoped that his career would turn out great, but was sadly disappointed.
Strangely enough...
I’ve never be happily disappointed.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 9, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Me neither
By the way, SWL, did you ever create that sabremagician picture? Just crossed my mind for some reason…
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
It's in the HOF post.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Ah, I skipped that one for some reason.
Thanks!
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
bad cubs?
how about bad spurs? you guys signed modric and dos santos? are you trying to become even more of the poor man’s arsenal? we already have the market cornered on small, underperforming international players. you’re just embarrassing yourselves.
(apologies for the off topic football discussion)
Arsenal?
Never heard of them. I only know of one team in London.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
In case you missed that
you can hear the lads sing it out.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Aw, man.
Most of the good ones have been mentioned already. Zuleta, Villanueva, Dascenzo, Walker, Salazar…what’s left?
I used to have a deck of Chicago Cubs playing cards that I picked up on a school trip to the city, back in ‘92. Flipping through those things was like reading an entry in Who’s Nobody.
So now I’m looking at Baseball Reference, trying to remember someone that I can add to this discussion, and who do I find?
Jim Bullinger.
Hells, yeah.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
Excellent choice.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Im shocked we made through the day without a mention of
I mean, really, did anyone not like Brian McRae? Maybe it was just me, because I was a fan of his dad at KC.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I once shared a cab with him. He was very nice. Long story. He paid both our fares.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions
He took paid for dinner for me, my dad, and my grandpa one night.
Super nice guy. I also met him at a convention and he proved to be just a nice. Great guy, but his dad was a far superior ballplayer.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
ALmost every son is a better player than their dads but the Cubs got the exceptions or at least their time with the Cubs they weren’t as good.
For example pre Cub Todd Hundley was better than Randy,
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Tony Gwynn, Jr. would beg to differ.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
I cant believe no one said
the FARNS
"I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying" - Michael Jordan, the one and only...
I have to go with
Jose Macias. His pregame dancing would crack me up. Then when he was done, he would go and sit on the bench where he would remain but I still liked him for some reason. Maybe it’s because our birthdays are on the same day. JOE MAC!!!!
when asked about his performance against the Reds - Lieber said the following
"Well obviously I made some bad pitches today, left to many over the plate and they got good wood on the ball. The only good thing was that I was able to get back into the clubhouse earlier then I planned so I could eat."
I don’t know about y’all, but my childhood was filled with Domingo Ramos and Jeff Pico memorabilia. I also had the Jim Bullinger blue glove, but I had to save up my allowance money for a few months. Well worth it.
I forgot about Domingo.
Also Angel Salazar.
IIRC, we gave up Moyer, Palmeiro and Hall for Webster, Wilkerson, Salazar, Domingo and who else?
Change Webster with...
Williams
Mitch Webster was a straight up with Montreal for Dave Martinez.
DOMINGO!!!!!!!!!
These memories are why made this diary. Damn, these were some horrid players on some horrid teams a damn us if we didn’t love them anyway.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
You bite your tongue!
Domingo Ramos played in 85 games in 1989, with an OPS of 86. So, that was no bad team. Now, Willie Banks opening on the mound and giving way to Chuck Crimms in the mid-90’s…those were bad players on bad teams. God bless ‘em and God bless us.
Was it just me
or did Willie Banks remind anyone of his twin Anthony Young? Gah, If I would have been old enough to drink then, I would have
That '89 team was not a good team, and Will Clark proved that.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
They did win 93 games
which is five more than the 2003 team. They were a good team.
"My bed is pulling me, gravity, daysleeper. Daaaysleeper."
by markleonette on Jun 9, 2008 11:28 PM CDT up reply actions
that is a silly statement.
I haz show: http://hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Jun 10, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Huson.
That’s exactly the kind of guy I was looking for.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Kilgus...
...was a key component to that massive trade with Texas during the 88-89 offseason if only for his blonde bubble perm and mustache combination. Unfortunately, the Cubs gave up Drew Hall in that deal, a pitcher that defined the “Fireballing Hillbilly Oaf” stereotype for me, at least before John Rocker came along. Ugh…Hall’s card should be posted above with Cunningham and Griffin, among the failed top draft picks, although at least he did reach the majors.
by LaddieRenfroe on Jun 10, 2008 2:10 AM CDT up reply actions
How about Doug Clemens?
He was OF the Cardinals threw into the Brock for Broglio deal. I remember Jack Brickhouse once sayiing that “Clemens will one day make the Cubs like that trade.”
Jack, ever the optimist.
"Earthly fame is naught but a breath of wind, which now comes hence and now comes thence, changing its name because it changes quarter." -- Dante, Purgatorio, Canto XI
Jose Macias
I saw a strange game at Petco in 2004 where Macias tripled twice and drove in three runs. I remember thinking, “Who is this guy, and what has he done with Jose Macias?” At the time, he was in the midst of an 11-for-20 tear.
Sosa homered in that game and the next one, before sneezing himself out of the lineup for a month.
Maybe its the same guy who pitched yesterday disguised as Marquis.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions
How about Bob Scanlan? They couldn’t pitch him when the wind was blowing out because he might fall over.
I don’t think he weighed 200 pounds and he was 6’8.
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.
Scanlan is great choice.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
A friend of mine went on a couple of dates with him. And she’s not the typical kind of girl you’d think would get dates with a player. Pretty yes but not overly so.
Didn’t work out. They’re still friends last time I asked her about him he wasbroadcasting.
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you like your namesake look like Ed Norton the actor?
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 Jun 9, 2008 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
No.
Unfortunately, I’ve never been married to Salma Hayek, either.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Mike Bielecki
Yes he had a great 1989 and was as gorgeous as all get out but he was pretty bad otherwise.
He’s a riot at the convention.
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.
Bilecki'
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Bielecki's awesome.
"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07
Hi, My name is Cubnational .. I've been a Cub fan for 38 years ..
And I’m standing up here today to confess to you of my obsession with
Bobby Murcer
But I didn’t inhale .. I swear I didn’t ..
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
Adolfo Phillips, aka "The Panamanian Flash"
Look him up. He actually had 17 homers and 70 RBI’s for the Cubs in 1967. I’ll never forget him because I watched a doubleheader (back when there were real actual doubleheaders) on WGN where Phillips had four home runs in one game, and an additional homer in the second. We all thought he was the next Babe Ruth. He hit a total of 59 in his career, so that one day was a huge percentage of his total output.
He ended up playing two and a half seasons for the Cubs, and played part of the year for the ‘69 Cubs.
IF IT TAKES FOREVER!!
by Cubfansince1957 on Jun 9, 2008 11:30 PM CDT reply actions
Jerry Martin
Another great 70s acquisition and complete stiff. How about Scott Bullett and Roosevelt Brown? Most my hated Cubs, 3rd base phenom washouts, Gary Scott & Kevin Orie/
Tarzan Joe Wallis
Absolutely hands down, no question. The guy used to run miles down the beach every day in his army boots. I seem to remember he liked jumping off buildings or some damn thing. He once broke up a late inning Tom Seaver no hitter. On one of those cheesy WGN pre-season specials they showed groundskeepers opening an outfield gate so Tarzan Joe could run across the street to catch a ball!
And what a great name! To think he played on the same team with Champ (Chimp!) Summers.
Who needed to win when we had guys like Tarzan Joe Wallis to keep us entertained? Those were the days! I went into mourning the day this guy was traded!
Steve Dillard
For some reason I thought he was the answer at 2nd base. He did have a 5 for 5 day I believe.
"There's nothing wrong with this team that more hitting, more pitching, more fielding, and more hitting couldn't help." Bill Buckner
How has nobody mentioned
“Free-Swingin’” Randall Simon?
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
I was just scrolling through to see if anyone said "Randall Simon"
I think he only had like 50AB’s with the Cubs but you have to love a guy that takes a swing at those freaky sausages. I think the guy got railroaded.
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
I'm sad that I didn't look at BCB earlier today...
...cause I love this subject. Obviously, my screen name reveals the identity of my favorite obscure player, a righty reliever who appeared in the majors briefly, displaying a submarine delivery and thick glasses but not much talent.
A few other guys come to mind that haven’t been mentioned….
Paul Noce, who filled in for Sandberg following an injury in 1987.
...and…
Steve Rain, who was among the largest human beings that I’ve seen attempt to play major league baseball. Sure, there have been taller guys, like Richie Sexson, but Rain had Prince Fielder’s physique and he was 6’6”. Watching him pitch was strangely absorbing, a fun farcical element to some otherwise wretched teams.
Tuffy Rhodes
I remember watching that opening day where he hit two (?) or three (?) homeruns and thought “woo hoo – this is our year!!” then kept waiting and waiting and waiting for him to become something…...
What a disappointment, but was cool when I was a little kid.
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuffy_Rhodes
Didn’t realize the guy was so successful in Japan!
"ROUS's? Rodents of Unusual Size. Don't worry, they don't exist."
http://margaritagirl11.spaces.live.com/
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